Delivery of Legal Services for All Committee

Jurisdiction

2017-2018 Committee List

Develop and recommend proposals for the effective delivery of high quality legal services, equal, fair, and affordable for all.

This committee consists of three initiatives.


1. Access to Justice: Proactive Policy & Program Development

  • Develop, recommend, and implement programs to benefit underserved populations including the poor, racial and ethnic minorities, gender identity, juveniles, domestic violence survivors, and those with special needs.
  • Work to increase resources for civil legal aid programs.
  • Maintain commitment to the provision of pro bono legal services.
  • Recommend John W. Cummiskey Award recipient to the Awards Committee.
  • Implement the Strategic Plan through formation of work groups as resources allow to address first responder pro bono, Michigan Free Legal Answers, online intake and triage, and consistent treatment of fee waiver requests.

2. Affordable Legal Services

  • Review and recommend innovative practices to provide low-cost legal services and evaluate efforts to expand access to affordable legal services for persons of modest means, including low bono services.
  • Explore development of non-profit law firms and sliding scale civil legal services.
  • Evaluate and recommend programs to increase online dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution services.
  • Explore cases to remove from judicial process.
  • Explore alternative fee agreements.

3. Lawyer Referral Service

  • Review and recommend programs to ensure knowledge of and access to lawyer referral services.
  • Review and recommend information to help consumers understand options and access to legal services.
  • Enhanced Directory/Online Marketplace.

Notes: This committee may have more than 15 members. Each initiative has co-chairs and works within its membership to establish quorum and deliver its work product to the Delivery of Legal Services Standing Committee, the Implementation & Innovation Steering Committee, the Executive Committee, or other as appropriate. The initiative co-chairs and others are members of the standing committee which functions as an umbrella to the initiatives. The executive director of the Michigan State Bar Foundation is included as a member in the Access to Justice Initiative. This committee will address the topic of an independent tech audit.

Annual Reports

2017-2018